Multiple pole switch



Jam.` 23, 1934. L. c. HART MULTIPLE POLE SWITCH Filed Sept. 6, 1933 OHHU: .I 2 u 2. O r o s s INVENTOR LESTLR (Tu/infr ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 23, 1934 PATENT ol-FICE MULTIPLE POLE SWITCH Lester C. Hart, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Hi- Voltage Equipment Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 6, 1933. Serial No. 688,312

Claims.

The invention relates to multiple pole gang operated switches, and has for its principal object the provision of an improved switch of the type specified which is simple and very compact,

5 adapting it to indoor work and switch compartments where space is an important factor. Further objects are the provision of a switch which has a high degree of safety; which is held in both extremes of movement by the weight of the moving parts; and wherein the switch terminals have no movement making possible a rigid connection to such terminals. One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a three pole switch embodying the invention. And Fig. 2 is a side elevation, the full lines showing the switch closed, and the dotted lines showing the switch open.

Referring to the drawing, 1, 1 are the side members of a supporting frame of suitable commercial sections, and 2 is a transverse tie member in the form of an angle, to which is secured the three stationary insulators 3, 3, 3, each having at its outer end a terminal block 4, carrying pairs of metal contact members 5, 5, adapted to receive a switch blade therebetween. The end members 1, 1 of the frame have bolted thereto the bearing brackets 6, 6 having the bearings 7, 7. To these brackets are pivoted on the pins 8, 8, the movable flanged bracket 9, 9. The movable brackets are riveted to a transverse angle iron 10, thus providing a rocking frame spaced below the set of fixed insulators 3, 3, 3 and the contacts carried thereby.

Secured at spaced intervals along the angle iron l0, are the three insulators l1, l1, 1l. These insulators carry at their outer ends the metal blocks 12, 12, 12 provided with the depending arms 13, 13, 13 and the pairs of flanges 14, 14, between which the switch blades 15, 15, 15 are secured. The upper ends of the switch blades are received between the pairs of contact members 5, 5, being guided into position by the pairs of guides 16, 16 projecting from the terminal blocks. The terminal blocks 4, 4 are provided with upstanding terminal connections 17, 17, 17, to which one set of the electric supply leads is adapted to be connected.

The depending arms 13, 13, 13 carried by the movable insulators, are provided with pivot pins 18, 18, 18, and on these pins are hung the terminal connections 19, 19, 19, to which the other set of electric supply leads are adapted to be connected. The pins 18, 18, 18 are on the center line 20 of the bearing pins 8, 8, so that there is no movement of the connections 19, 19, 19 due to the swinging of the switch from one position to the other. This involves a substantial advantage, as a rigid connection may be made between the connections and supply leads, thus avoiding wear and deterioration at this point. The movement of the switch is regulated by the stop screws 21, 21 carried by the brackets 6, 6 which engage the flanges of the movable brackets 9, 9 (Fig. 2). The rod for operating the switch may be attached either at 22 or 23 (Fig. 2)

It will be noted that the switch is of compact, simple form occupying a minimum of space, and that the weight of the movable parts of the switch are so disposed that such weight tends to hold the switch in either of its extreme positions, so that the switch Will not move from either position as a result of jarring or vibration. The fact that the terminal members 19, 19, 19 do not move with the switch improves the construction at this point as heretofore pointed out. Other advantages incident to the construction will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. In combination in a multi-pole switch, a fixed frame, a series of insulators secured to the frame each provided at its outer end with contact means and a terminal, a movable frame mounted for swinging movement on the fixed frame and provided with a series of insulators, a metal block carried by the outer end of each of said last insulators having an arm projecting therefrom, a terminal pivoted to each arm with said pivot in alignment with the axis of rotation t of the movable frame, and a switch arm mounted on each of said blocks and adapted to engage one of said contact means when the movable frame is in one extreme of movement.

2. In combination in a multi-pole switch, a fixed frame, a series of insulators projecting therefrom horizontally and each provided at its outer end with contact means and a terminal, a movable frame below the series of insulators mounted for swinging movement on the fixed frame about a horizontal axis and provided with a series of insulators, a metal block mounted on the outer end of each of said last insulators carrying a switch arm adapted to engage one of said contacts when the movable frame is in one extreme of movement, and a terminal secured to each of said blocks, said movable frame and parts carried thereby being positioned with respect to said horizontal axis, so that the center of gravity thereof lies on opposite sides of the Vertical plane of said axis when the movable frame is in its two extremes of movement, and gravity thus acts to maintain such frame in either extreme position to which it is swung.

3. In combination in a multi-pole switch, a xed frame, a series of insulators projecting therefrom laterally and each provided at its outer end with contact means and a terminal, a movable frame below the series of insulators mounted for swinging movement on the fixed frame about a horizontal axis and provided with a series of insulators, a metal block mounted on the outer end of each of said last insulators carrying a switch arm adapted to engage one of said contacts when the movable frame is in one extreme of movement, and a terminal pivoted to each block with said pivots all in horizontal alignment with said axis, said movable frame and parts earried thereby being positioned with respect to said horizontal axis, so that the center of gravity thereof lies on opposite sides of the Vertical plane cf said axis when the movable frame is in its two extremes of movement, and gravity thus acts to maintain such frame in either extreme position to which it is swung.

4. In combination in a multi-pole switch, a fixed frame, comprising a pair of side uprights and a horizontal tie member connecting the upper ends thereof, a series of insulators projecting therefrom laterally and each provided on its cuter end withcontact means and a terminal, brackets projecting from the side uprights below the tie member, a movable arm carried by a pivot on each of said brackets with said pivots in horizontal alignment, a bar connecting the free ends of said arms and lying when in one extreme of movement to the rear of the vertical plane of the pivots and when in its other extreme of movement lying to the front of such plane, a series of insulators carried by said bar, a block mounted on the outer end of each of said last insulators carrying a switch arm adapted to engage one of said contacts when the movable frame is in one extreme of movement, and a terminal secured to each of said blocks.

5. In combination in a multiple switch, a fixed frame, comprising a pair of side uprights and a horizontal tie member connecting the upper ends thereof, a series of insulators projecting therefrom laterally and each provided on its outer end with contact means and a terminal, brackets projecting from the side uprights below the tie member, a movable arm carried by a pivot on each of said brackets with said pivots in horizontal alignment, a bar connecting the free ends of said arms and lying when in one extreme of movement to the rear of the vertical plane of the pivots and when in its other extreme of movement lying to the front of such plane, a series of insulators carried by said bar, a block mounted on `ie outer end of each of said last insulators carrying a switch arm adapted to engage one of said contacts when the movable frame is in one extreme of movement, and a terminal pivoted to each of said blocks with the centers of rotation thereof in alignment with the pivots on which the movable arms turn.

LESTER C. HART. 

